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Manchester United and Liverpool are backing a radical plan to reform English football, led by the English Football League, which would see the change of control of the Premier League to the best teams, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The plan, which was first reported in the Telegraph, was dubbed “Project Big Picture” and would see a review of the finances of the Premier League and the EFL.
Proposed by the EFL and its president, Rick Parry, plans include reducing the Premier League to 18 teams, giving control power to the nine longest-serving clubs in the league, and abolishing the League Cup and Community Shield. .
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The Premier League has been governed by the one club and one vote rule, but if this change is accepted, power would shift to United’s big six Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as Everton, Southampton and West. Ham. The changes would require the votes of just six of these clubs.
“It will definitely be a challenge and it’s a huge change, so it won’t be without pain,” Parry told the Telegraph.
“Do I really think it’s for the greater good of the game as a whole? Absolutely. And if the [big] six are making some profit, so why shouldn’t they? Why wouldn’t they put their names on this otherwise? “
In exchange for accepting the proposals, the Premier League would give 25% of its annual revenue to EFL clubs, in addition to giving away £ 250 million to the league to secure clubs during the pandemic and another £ 100 million to the Football Association.
With the reduction of places in the Premier League, there would be two automatic promotion places for the championship clubs and then the third, fourth and fifth place clubs would compete in a tiebreaker tournament with the club ranked 16th in the Premier League.
However, a statement from the Premier League rebuked the plan, saying it was important for all parties to work together.
“Both the Premier League and the FA support a broad discussion on the future of the game, including its competition structures, schedule and overall funding, particularly in light of the effects of COVID-19,” the statement said. Soccer has many stakeholders, therefore this work must be carried out through the proper channels that allow all clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute.
“In the opinion of the Premier League, several of the individual proposals in the plan published today could have a damaging impact on the entire game and we are disappointed to see that Rick Parry, president of the EFL, has given his record The Premier League has been working in good faith with their clubs and the EFL to seek resolution to the COVID-19 rescue funding requirement. This work will continue. “
A conversation about these proposals began as early as 2017, but has accelerated in recent months as the coronavirus pandemic has continued to affect clubs across the English football system.
“What do we do? Leave it exactly as it is and allow the smaller clubs to wither away? Or do we do something about it? And you can’t do something about it without something changing. And the view of our clubs is whether the [big] six get some profit, but all 72 do too, we’re ready for it, “Parry said.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden contributed to this report.
